54 interesting facts about cheetahs

The cheetah, a creature of exceptional speed and beauty, holds a fascination for many. Its slender frame, deep chest, and long legs make it uniquely adapted for incredible bursts of speed, earning it the title of the world’s fastest land animal. The cheetah is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, with a small population persisting in Iran. Unfortunately, this magnificent creature is considered vulnerable due to habitat loss, poaching, and other threats.

1. Cheetahs are the fastest land animals, capable of reaching speeds up to 60-70 miles per hour.
2. Their acceleration is impressive, as they can go from 0 to 60 miles per hour in about three seconds.
3. The cheetah’s body is specialised for speed; it has a lightweight frame and long legs perfect for sprinting.
4. Their large nostrils allow for increased oxygen intake during high-speed chases.
5. Unlike other big cats, cheetahs cannot roar. Instead, they purr, hiss, whine and growl.
6. The name ‘cheetah’ comes from the Hindi word ‘Chita’, meaning ‘spotted one’.
7. Cheetahs have a unique ‘tear mark’ pattern that runs from the inner corner of their eye down to the side of their mouth.
8. These tear marks help to reflect the sun’s glare and enable the cheetah to focus better on its prey.
9. A cheetah’s tail acts almost like a rudder on a boat because it helps them control their steering and maintain their balance while running at high speed.
10. The cheetah’s slender, lightweight body is built more like a greyhound than a typical big cat.
11. Female cheetahs are solitary animals, while males tend to form small groups with their siblings.
12. Unlike other big cats, cheetahs are day hunters. Their hunts are high-energy affairs that require plenty of sunlight.
13. Cheetahs have a gestation period of approximately 90-95 days; the average litter size is three to five cubs.
14. Cheetah cubs are born with a mantle of fur that runs down their back, which offers them camouflage by mimicking the look of a honey badger, discouraging potential predators.
15. The cheetah’s spotted coat helps them blend into their high, dry grasses environment.
16. Cheetah populations are found in sub-Saharan Africa and northeastern Iran.
17. Cheetahs were once trained for hunting game by aristocrats in India and Persia.
18. A cheetah’s lifespan is typically 10-12 years in the wild and up to 20 years in captivity.
19. The ancient Egyptians revered cheetahs and often kept them as pets. They also depicted cheetahs in their art and used them for hunting.
20. A cheetah’s diet consists mostly of gazelles and impalas, but they will also hunt smaller mammals and birds.
21. Cheetahs need to drink water only once every three to four days, getting most of their required water from the body fluids of their prey.
22. Unlike other big cats, cheetahs do not have retractable claws. This gives them better grip at high speeds.
23. The cheetah has a high set of eyes on a small head, which is an adaptation for speed. The high eyes provide a wider field of view, while the small head decreases wind resistance.
24. The cheetah is the only species in its genus, Acinonyx.
25. Adult cheetahs typically weigh between 75-145 pounds.
26. An average cheetah can cover a distance of 20-25 feet in a single stride.
27. They have a top recorded speed of 75 mph, but such high speeds are generally only maintained for a few hundred yards.
28. After a high-speed chase, a cheetah needs to rest for about half an hour before eating, as it needs to bring its body temperature down.
29. Their primary threat is habitat loss due to human encroachment, besides poaching and other factors.
30. The Asiatic cheetah, found in Iran, is critically endangered with an estimated population of around 50 remaining in the wild.
31. Unlike other cats, cheetahs do not have a fully covering top layer of hair. Their fur is more like a dog’s fur.
32. When running at full speed, a cheetah spends more time in the air than on the ground.
33. Cheetahs have a weak bite compared to other big cats, as their jaw is smaller to accommodate larger nasal passages for oxygen intake.
34. A group of cheetahs is called a coalition.
35. Cheetahs communicate through a variety of vocalisations like purrs, growls, hisses, and a high-pitched chirping sound.
36. Unlike other big cats, cheetahs are less aggressive and would rather flee than fight.
37. Cheetahs were once widely distributed throughout Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and Asia, but their range has now drastically reduced.
38. The cheetah’s spine is highly flexible — a key adaptation for its high-speed pursuits.
39. A female cheetah will teach her cubs to hunt after they’re about two months old.
40. The cheetah can’t climb trees, unlike most other big cats.
41. Cheetahs mark their territory by urinating on trees or termite mounds.
42. Adult male cheetahs lead nomadic lives and often travel vast distances in search of prey.
43. Despite their speed and hunting prowess, cheetahs often lose their kills to other larger predators like lions and hyenas.
44. Cheetahs have been in captivity for over 5,000 years and were first tamed by the Sumarians.
45. Unlike many other cats, cheetahs are diurnal, meaning they hunt during the day, particularly in the early morning or late afternoon.
46. The black ‘tear marks’ on a cheetah’s face help to absorb the sun’s glare and keep them focused on their prey.
47. Cheetahs use their incredible speed for short hunting bursts, as they can overheat if they run at top speed for too long.
48. A cheetah’s foot pads are hard and less rounded than those of other cats, which help them with rapid acceleration and high-speed pursuits.
49. Genetic diversity in cheetahs is extremely low, which makes survival difficult.
50. A cheetah has between 2,000 and 3,000 spots.
51. The King Cheetah, a variety with larger, blotchy spots, is not a separate species but a mutant variety.
52. At the end of the 20th century, the global cheetah population was estimated to be 100,000. By 2016, this population decreased to an estimated 7,100.
53. Cheetahs have a ‘flight over fight’ response, meaning they prefer to escape danger rather than confront it.
54. Cheetahs’ eyesight is so sharp they can spot prey from 3 miles away.

Cheetahs, with their streamlined bodies and awe-inspiring speed, capture our fascination. Despite being amongst the lesser known of the big cats, they play an irreplaceable role in the ecosystem. These facts underscore their remarkable adaptations and unique lifestyle. However, as with many of our planet’s wonders, they face significant challenges due to human activities. Recognising the unique qualities of these splendid creatures is the first step towards appreciating their value and preserving them for future generations.

The cheetah, a creature of exceptional speed and beauty, holds a fascination for many. Its slender frame, deep chest, and long legs make it uniquely adapted for incredible bursts of speed, earning it the title of the world’s fastest land animal. The cheetah is primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa, with…